On November 9, 2024, representatives from various sectors of Melbourne’s Chinese community in Victoria, gathered before the Sun Yat-sen bronze statue in Chinatown to commemorate the 158th anniversary of Dr Sun Yat-sen's birth. The event was presided over by Songda Wu, head of the Melbourne Hongmen Chinese Minge Party, and jointly organized by the Victoria Chinese Heritage Society and the Victoria Chinese Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association. Attendees included Chinese Consul General in Melbourne Xinwen Fang, Consul Chongsheng Song, representative of the Federation of Chinese Association Victoria (FCA) President Yunguo Chen, Melbourne City Councilor Mr. Shiren Lei, President of the Australia Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos Chinese Association Shaoping Hong, Curator of the Melbourne Chinese Museum Xingxiang Wang, President of the Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce Bihong Wang, among other representatives from the Chinese community.
Chinese Consul General in Melbourne, Xinwen Fang, first offered flowers to the statue of Mr. Sun Yat-sen and delivered an important speech. He honoured Sun’s leadership in the 1911 Revolution, which established the first republic in Asia, highlighting Sun’s patriotic spirit of 'the world for all' and his dedication to revitalizing China and striving for the nation's unification and rejuvenation. Consul General Fang remarked "Sun Yat-sen is a revered figure among overseas Chinese, warmly welcomed and supported wherever he went. He praised the Chinese diaspora as the ‘mother of the revolution." For many years, overseas Chinese have made significant contributions to China’s revolution, construction, and development, and the motherland and its people will never forget the historic achievements of overseas Chinese.”
Subsequently, on behalf of President Yunguo Chen, Vice President Chunjiang Wu of the FCA laid flowers at the statue of Sun Yat-sen and delivered a speech titled 'Honouring Our Predecessors, Advancing Together as a Nation'. He stated “Sun Yat-sen was the first to raise the banner of thorough anti-imperialist and anti-feudalism, ending 2,000 years of feudal rule in China and making a tremendous contribution to the democratic progress of the Chinese nation. His life was dedicated to the ideals of national independence, people’s liberation, and a strong, prosperous country. We should not only remember Dr Sun’s life but also learn from his spirit and carry on his legacy.”
The ceremony paid profound tribute to Sun Yat-sen’s inspiring life and his monumental historical achievements. After the speeches concluded, Consul General Fang presented the organizers with a valuable redwood statue of Sun Yat-sen. The Melbourne Chinese Minge Party's Lion Dance Troupe then performed a lion dance to celebrate the occasion.
Today, the Zhongshan suit has become a symbol of the spirit, vigour, and character of the new generation of Chinese people. Sun Yat-sen’s enduring ideals continue to inspire generation after generation of Chinese to unite and strive forward. Let us honour Mr. Sun’s legacy, carry forward his vision, and work together toward national rejuvenation and peaceful reunification across the Taiwan Strait, contributing our collective efforts to this cause!
Also attending the event from the FCA were Vice President Chen Chen, Vice President Gaochao Fu, Treasurer Anthony Lin, and former Executive Vice President Ms. Diana Lin.
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